Chapter 8
After the proposal had gone through seven or eight revisions under Megan, Megan broke down before the client got a chance to lose their temper. When her final version was rejected again, she smashed her computer in front of everyone at the office.
By that time, several employees had already started submitting their resignations. Harley was overwhelmed, and in a fit of anger, he slapped Megan across the face in front of everyone.
Furious, Megan stormed out of the company–and no matter how many times Harley called afterward, she never picked up.
Harley tried outsourcing the project, but the client found out. In the end, Harley breached the contract and was taken to court.
The day he received the summons, he came running to me for help.
Thunder rumbled through the night as he stood in the pouring rain. He shouted and sobbed hoarsely, begging for forgiveness and pleading with me to give him another chance. He swore he would never make the same mistake again.
Meanwhile, I closed the curtains, put in my earbuds, and lay down on my soft, comfortable bed. I didn’t feel even the slightest bit sorry for him.
He was just getting wet in the rain–but my five–year marriage had been a long, unending storm.
I thought he’d leave quietly once I ignored him. But to my surprise, when morning came, Harley was still standing outside in the yard.
Rain had drenched his hair, plastering it to his cheeks, and his pale face was completely drained of color. I had never seen him look so pathetic.
I didn’t want to see him, but I still had to go to work. As I expected, the moment I stepped out the door, Harley rushed over to me. His eyes were filled with helplessness and sorrow as he looked at me.
“You don’t need to look at me like that. I’m not going to help you,” I said firmly.
“I know you’re angry with me. I thought about everything overnight. I’m not asking you to help me, but can you give me one last chance?
“Do you still remember this?” As Harley spoke, he reached out his hand and opened his palm.
In the center lay a small, chipped diamond ring. I froze for a moment as my thoughts drifted back.
Harley had once loved me, too. We didn’t have much when we got married. So, between the two of us, we barely scraped together ten thousand dollars. I told him we didn’t need a diamond ring, that it didn’t matter to me. But he knew I liked them, and still spent every last cent he had to buy me that ring. “When we got married, we promised that no matter what hardships came, we’d never give up on each other. You said you’d love me forever.‘ When he saw the hesitation in my eyes, a hopeful light returned to his own.
“I never did anything to betray you. Whatever you think happened with Megan–it’s not what you imagine.
“I only felt sorry for her. She was alone in titis city. I never had feelings for her.
“Tiana, the things that I did… It’s not as unforgivable as you think. Please, give me one more chance.”
10
He kept pleading, as I reached out and picked up the ring. But before he could let his hope soar fully, the color drained from his face in the very next second.
